Spinning top



Aug- 24, 1965 T. DALHART 3,201,896

SPINNING TOP Filed Jan. 2 1963 I N VEN TOR. A05/*WJ 7.' /JA ya@ 7-United States Patent C 3,201,896 SPINNING TOP Austin T. Dalhart, 28905Osborn, Bay Village, Ohio Filed Jan. v2, 1963, Ser. No. r248,998 4Claims. (Cl. 46-65) This invention relates generally to spinning topsand more particularly to a novel and improved spinning top assemblycombining two or more nested tops which separate and individually spinafter being pitched by the player as a single assembly.

. It is an important object of this invention to provide a novel andimproved multiple spinning top having two or `more tops which are nestedfor pitching and which separate and individually spin when the surfaceon which the top assembly is pitched is engaged by the assembly.

It is another important object of this invention to provide a novel andimproved low cost multiple spinning top having locking means to securethe separable tops together during handling until after being pitched bythe player and also incorporating means to positively eject theindividual tops so that they spin individually after being pitched as anassembly.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a novel andimproved multiple spinning top having a minimum of parts which cofact tolock the individual tops in a nested relationship until the assemblyengages the .surface on which the top is to spin in combination withmeans to positively separate the nested tops for separate spinning.

Further objects and advantages will appear from the followingdescription and drawings wherein:

, In the drawings an embodiment is illustrated including three nestedtops which separate after pitching by the player and spin individually.However, it should be understood that this invention contemplatesmultiple tops 'having' other number of separable tops greater than one.

The illustrated embodiment includes an outer top 10, an intermediate top11 and an inner top 12. The intermediate top 11 nests Within the outertop 10 and the inner top 12 nests within the intermediate top 11. Eachof the ytops 10, 11 and 12, includes a moulded plastic generallyconicaly body 13, 14 and 16, respectively and a spinning point 17, 18and 19, respectively. The bodies are preferably moulded of polyethyleneor other suitable plastic y and the spinning points are preferably metalparts formed on an automatic screw machine. It should be understood`rhowever that other materials and methods of'manufacture may beutilized for producing these elements.

3'5201 ,8916 Patented Aug. 24, 1965 FIGURE 1 so that the tops spin asthe player pitches the assembly, thus imparting a high speed of rotationthereto.

The cylindrical section 23 is formed with a iirst bore 26 open at thelower end of the body 13 and extending to a co-axial larger diameterbore 27. The bore 27 extends up into a cylindrical projection 28 insideof the body 13 and terminating at an inwardly extending tlange 29. Ashoulder 31 connecting the bores 26 and 27 cooperates with the bore 27and the liange 29 to define a recess 32 restricted at both ends.

The spinning point 17 is formed with a conical portion 33 at its lowerend, a stem 34 extending upwardly from the portion 33 and an upper head36 positioned within the recess 32. The head 36 is formed with adiameter slightly larger than the bore 26 and the stem 34 is formed witha diameter to t through the bore 26 with clearance which has beenexaggerated for purposes of illustration in the drawings. The body 13`isformed with a generally conical cavity 37 proportioned to receive theintermediate The outer top body 13'is formed with a convex outer ysurface l21-having a plurality of annular shallow grooves 22 formedtherein. At the lower end of the body 13 ythere is formed a cylindricalsection which cooperates rwound around the convex portion 21 asillustrated in top 11. Sufficient thickness however is provided in thebody 13 to prevent any substantial distortion of the top when the cord24 is wound or the top is used.

The body 14 of the intermediate top 11 is formed with a generallyconical outer surface 38 extending to a cylindrical portion 39. The apexof the body 14 is .formed with a first bore 41, a second co-axial bore42, having a diameter larger than the first bore, and an inturned flange43. This structure is substantially the same as the correspondingstructure of the outer top 10 but is dimension- `ally smaller. Thespinning point 18 is formed with a conical end portion 44, a stem 46 anda head 47, with the head 47 positioned in a cavity 48 defined by thebore 42, the ange 43 and the shoulder joining the bores 41 and 42. Hereagain the general structure of the spinning point 18 is similar to thestructure of the spinning point 17. However, the spinning point 18 isformed with an enlarged cylindrical section 51 between the stem .46 andthe end portion 44, which has an end face 52 having a diameter largerthan the bore 41 to engage the end 53 of the body 14. The end portion 44has a diameter slightly larger than the opening defined by the ilange'29 in the body 13 so that the outer top 16 and the intermediate top 11are locked in the assembled position when the end portion 44 is pushedpast the flange 29 as illustrated in FIGURE 2.

The inner top 12 is proportioned to nest in a conical recess 56 in theintermediate body 14 and is provided with a spinning tip 19 which issecurely imbedded at the apex of the body 16. In this case the spinningpoint 19 is iirmly anchored in the body 16 againstY all movementrelative thereto. However, the spinning point 19 is provided with an endportion .54 having a conical shape and a maximum diameter slightlylarger than the diameter of the opening defined by the inturned ange 43of `the intermediate top. The end portion S4 is also spaced from the endof the body 16 to .provide an annular recess to receive the liange 43.

The inner end of the body 16 engages the upper surface of the ilange 43when the -inner top 12 is pressed into the assembled positionillustrated in FlGURE 2. The ends of the bodies 13, 14 and 16, areproportioned so that their upper surfaces are substantially aligned whenthe three tops are in the nested position of VFIGURES 1 and 2.

.provide any .wear reducing slots.

kReferring to FIGURE 3 the cylindrical projection 28 -is formed with twoor more axial slots 57 which add' flexibility to the projections 28 andpermit resilient radialY deflection so that the-end 44 can pass the ange29 during assembly of the tops and theuejection or disassembly occurringduring the spinning operation. The flange 43 on the body 14 of theintermediate top 11 is formed with a similar pair of `axial slots (notshown) to permit the flange 43 to resilient-ly spread and -allow passageyof theVV end portion 54. This permits repeated assembly and use of thetop without producing wear which wouldeliminate .the locking actionofthe tops.` Y l The head 35 of-the spinning 4point* 17 has a diameter.;

slightly larger-than the bore 26 but there is suiicient resiliency ofthe material forming. the body `13 to permit it. to be pressed into the*installed position. ySincethe spinning point 17 is not removed duringuse, yit is not necessary to Similarly the head 47 is pressedV throughthe bore 41 and -once the spinning pointl 13 is installed it remains inthe installed position. YThe various elementsare proportioned Vhoweverso that the spinning points 17 and 18 may move axially relative to theirassociated bodies 13 and 14 respectively. y

vIn operation the threetops 1t), 11 andlZ, are pressed intothelassembled position Vof FGURES 1 and 2, andthe rnediatetoplfr and the,lspinning point18 would be eliminated and the proportions arranged sothat the inner top 12 would t within the outer top in a manner similarto the manner in which it its Within the illustrated inter- Y mediatetop 11.

` bodies each symmetrical about an axis andproportioned for nesting ofsaid inner body Ywithinsaid outer body with said Vaxesco-axial,,nieansincluding a radially deliectable surface on said outerbody normally spaced from the axis thereof by a predetermined distance,a spinningpoint on Vsaid innerrbody having a'portion spaced from theaxis thereof by a distance greater than said predetermined distance,said portion being positioned belowfsaid-surface when said -bodies arenested 4locking ,saidbodies in said nested position, aspinningypointonzsaid outer body axially movable relative thereto to an inner positionwhen said outer body is supported and spinning` thereon,-said fmeansmain'taining said spinning Ipoint .on said inner. body inalignmentwith said spinning point'on said outer body cord 24 is woundaround the outer top 1.6 in the usual' f manner. When the top is pitchedit engages the flo'oror other surface upon which the tops are spun.Engagewhile said por-tion is below said deflectable surface, movei mentof said -spinning point to said inner position pressment of the spinningpoint 17 with the surface-causes the spinning point 17 to move upwardlyrelative to the bodies 13 andfld. Engagementl Ibetween the lower end ofthe spinning point 18 and the upper end of the spinning point .17 causesthe spinning point 18 to 4rnove upwardly, relative` to the intermedi-atetop :11. .The Vvarious elements are proportioned so that the upper endof the spinning point 18 engages the lower end of the spinning point 19.before the upper vsurfa`ce`52 of the cylindricalportion 51V engages theend of the .body 14. Therefore, the initial portion of Y upward-movementof the spinning point 17,relative to the outer ,top 1), causes the endportion 5ft-fof the spiningsaid portion past said surface ejecting saidinner body from said outer body. Y

2. A combinationspinningktop adapted to spin on a 'surfacecornprising aconical outer body, a rst .point element mounted at 'the apex of saidouter body .for

y limited axial movement relative thereto, a conical inner body, asecond point element mounted on the apex of said Vinner body, said outerand inner bodie-s bcing'forrned ning pointon the -innerrtop 12 to bepressed .past the flange 43 ejecting the inner top yfrom its nestedposition.

, rately. Therspringaction of the flange 43after the maximum diameterportion of the end passes, causesan'additional separating force as theinner end of theange 43 snaps; back in along the lower cammingsurface ofthe' end portion 54. Y Y p .v f The elements are proportioned so thatthe larger section of the Vend portion 54 is past theflangeV 43 beforethe kend surface 52 engages the -surface].53. 1 Therefore, the innertopk is ejected before the intermediate topf'l'l -.iscaused toi bevpushed up by further upward movement ofthe spinning Y point 17. ,WhenYthe twofsurfaces 52 land 531enga'gejt prevents furtherrelative"movementbetween the spinning point 18 and the intermediate top V11. 1 Furtherupward movement ofthe spinningpoint 18 relative-tov the outer i topltcauses the intermediate top 11 to Vbe-ejected from,V

. thenested position.` Hereagainfthe-spring action tof the yflangef29-asit passes the maximumdiameter portionof the end 44 of thespinningpoint 18 causesfa snap action` j to assist in theejection of theintermediate top 11.' There- L fore, the intermediatey top y,11. isseparately-ejected,from

.the intermediate posit-ionandffalls ltothefloorwherefit l spinsindividually. Y, The outer top, of cours'ey continues to f spin withrthe`body 13 resting on the Vend 33of the'spinningg4 L 'point17.V j n.

It should be understood that if more than three.; nestedv 1 tops arertobe utilized, a lstruct-ure functionallysirnilar'to Y the intermediatetop 1I -.would' be.duplicated'togprovide j the additionaltops. .Ontherother hand, if .a combination top is provided'having' only two.separable'tops'the inter-V VDuring the pitching of vthe f tops, before.they impact thev Y floor or other similar surface,rthe-three` topsattain spinning rotation so when the inner top 12isejected-:from theassembled position! and falls,rv to the iloor it spins'sepatofnest saidinner body within said outer body, said second point .being formedY withan enlarged shoulder spaced from the end ofsaid inner body, said outerbody being formed .withva `central recess having aninturned ange. at oneend Vdelining an openingy smaller'than said shoulder, said secondpoint'project-inginto saidrecess with said shoulder past said ViiangeYwhen said bodies are nested, maintaining said second point in alignmentwith said rst point, said :flange beingresiliently dee'ctable toperm-itv passage of '1 said shouldensa'id rst point engaging -saidsecond point and-pushingsaid shoulder pastsaid flange when said firstpoint moves inward relative to said outerbody in response 50toengagementwith'said surface.,`

3. fA combinationspinning topadapted to spin `on a surface comprising'aconical outerY body, a'rst point element mounted at thewf-a-pexf-ofYsaid outer bodyfor limited axial'movement-relative thereto,.a conicalinner -:'body`, ay second. point elementv mounted. on the apex ofsaid'innerbody5` said outer 'rand inner bodies beingformed tonestsaidinnerfbody'with-infsaid outer body, said second point beingformed withan'enlargedshoulderspaced from the end ofsaid inner'body,saidouter'lbodybeing formed with ag'central `recess havingf'an'inturnedangeat one end defining an opening 'smaller'` Ithan said shoulder, rsaidsecond point projecting int'orsaid'reces-s with said shoulder pastsaidflangefwh'en said bodies are nested, maintaining said first'yandsecond `pointjelements in alignment, axial notches iin Asaid flangepermitting radial deflection thereof to'permit passage of saidshoulder,'sai d irst-pointengag- 'uingsaid second .point andpushingsaidrshoul'der past'said *hangen/'hen said first -point moves inwardrelative to said 'outerbodyin' response tolengagement with said surface.

J4; A-cOrnbination 'spinning topiadapted'to spinon a surfacecomprisingja conical-outer. body, a rst point `element Ymountepdywat.theapexjofY saidouterr body for limitedV axial inovernent'relativetheretofa Vconical inner body, a-second point element mounted. on the"apex of Vrl`sai'dinner body, said outer and inner bodies being formed tonest sa'id'iinnerbody' within said outer body, said second than saidshoulder, said second point projecting into said recess with saidshoulder past said ange when said bodies are nested, maintaining saidrst and second point elements in alignment, said flange beingresiliently deflectable to perm-it passage of said shoulder, said rstpoint engaging said second point and pushing said shoulder past saidange when said rst point moves inward relative to said outer body inyresponse Ito engagement with said surface, engagement of said flangeWit-h said camming face accelerating said second point and inner bodyout of the nested position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,089,668 3/14yPrendergast 46-65 2,619,769 12/52 Gallaher 46-65 2,752,726 7/ 5 6Calverley 46-22 RCHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

1. A MULTIPLE SPINNING TOP COMPRISING INNER AND OUTER BODIES EACHSYMMETRICAL ABOUT AN AXIS AND PROPORTIONED FOR NESTING OF SAID INNERBODY WITHIN SAID OUTER BODY WITH SAID AXES CO-AXIAL, MEANS INCLUDING ARADIALLY DEFLECTABLE SURFACE ON SAID OUTER BODY NORMALLY SPACED FROM THEAXIS THEREOF BY A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE, A SPINNING POINT ON SAID INNERBODY HAVING A PORTION SPACED FROM THE AXIS THEREOF BY A DISTANCE GREATERTHAN SAID PREDETERMINED DISTANCE, SAID PORTION BEING POSITIIONED BELOWSAID SURFACE WHEN SAID BODIES ARE NESTED LOCKING SAID BODIES IN SAIDNESTED POSITION, A SPINNING POINT ON SAID OUTER BODY AXIALLY MOVABLERELATIVE THERETO TO AN INNER POSITION WHEN SAID OUTER BODY IS SUPPORTEDAND SPINNING THEREON, SAID MEANS MAINTAINING SAID SPINNING POINT ON SAIDINNER BODY IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID SPINNING POINT ON SAID OUTER BODY